This post contains a 5-minute video from Got Questions Ministries that explains what it means “to take up your cross and follow Jesus.” You will also learn what it does not mean and how you may evaluate your commitment to Jesus.
Category: Self-denial / Obedience
Isaiah 40:31 Waiting upon the Lord
This post contains Bible commentary on Isaiah 40:31, about waiting on the Lord. The comments are from Barnes’ Notes on the Bible; but there is a link to commentaries on the verse at Bible Hub, for those who would like to read other commentators. The concept of ‘waiting’ on God is found often in scripture and something that we all need to understand and seek God’s help in doing.
How to face trials in life – James 1:2-4 – Bible Munch
In less than 4 minutes, Pastor Nelson, of Bible Munch, makes some very understandable statements about dealing with trials, troubles, pain… something that every Christian needs to know. This post also contains a brief comment on Jesus’ words, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” The comment is from Barnes’ Notes on the Bible. Both work together to provide greater understanding.
If my people who are called by my name … 2 Chronicles 7:14 – Bible Munch
Pastor Nelson’s 4-minute video calls for each of us to do what is called for in the following verse: If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
The Background for the Gospel Message – Pastor Patrick Hines – video short
The following 1-minute video short was excerpted from a recent podcast by pastor Hines: Romans 1:18-22 – God’s Wrath & Mercy, Man’s Truth Suppression. Herein, pastor Hines explains that the background for the biblical gospel message is God’s wrath against sin. He talked briefly about the ‘Christian Liberal’ message that is devoid of God’s wrath, as contested by J Gresham Machen in the early 20th century via his still very relevant book, Christianity and Liberalism:
ON LUST – PURITAN JOHN OWEN
This post contains a 12-minute video, read by Pastor Mark Fitpatrick of Arann Reformed Baptist Church. Arann Reformed Baptist Church www.arann-reformed.com. It is from Christian Sermons and Audio Books, YouTube. [Owen is still regarded as a foremost authority on the topics of temptation and the mortification of sin. All Christians have to understand this topic and have tools for fighting the good fight….]
The Fearful End of Ignorance – Studies in The Pilgrim’s Progress by Thomas Sullivan
This post is about a sermon on The Pilgrim’s Progress, focusing on the character ‘ignorance.’ The contents of the post emphasized how this is relevant to all Christians who are born again and walking in the WAY; in other words, on pilgrimage through the wilderness of this world. Highlight points identify the contents of the 40-minute sermon with some statements from the sermon. Also, there is a link to a post from last week that identifies all the characters in Bunyan’s book and concepts, themes…. Besides the Bible, Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress is the most meaningful book you will read about the Christian walk. It identifies many aspects of the Christian battle, especially diversions temptations, lies, false teachers… that take a believer off the true path. The believer must return to that path after becoming aware of being temporarily duped, deceived, tricked….
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – Love – Mini Series Part 1
This first of three posts on love is about verse biblical love as in the following verse: Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. This article takes scripture from the entire Bible about love, and marriage. The next post will be a sermon specifically about the Galatians verse above; and the third post, on the three types of love discussed in the Bible.
Proverbs 5:22 The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him…. [Explained from Commentaries]
The two verses looked at in this post are some of the most frightening in the Bible. They are about those people who think they are getting away with sinning. These not only apply to the believer who is backsliding, but to those marauders who are doing smash and grabs; to those manipulators cheating to win elections; those malevolent globalists creating vaccines to harm others and rid the earth of them, or who are orchestrating famines to accomplish that end… but they are God’s words to all who think they can get away with sinning: the act of sin carries its own punishment. [I reviewed these for my own edification, as my attitude towards some sins is not yet biblical; hopefully, others will find this post worthy of contemplating.]
Morning and Evening Thoughts by C H Spurgeon for July 19
Today, Spurgeon’s morning and evening thoughts are about God’s purpose for sending affliction into the believer’s life. If you have been feeling discouraged by hardships and your own failures in your Christian walk, then you could easily find encouragement in his words. You might be more inclined to seek Christ out in His word and prayer, than avoiding Him because of a sense of failure (which seems to mostly be about self-reliance, which God is working to eradicate via affliction).